Employment Specialist (Individual Placement and Support)

Change Grow Live; Walthamstow; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Outer London Weighting

Pension scheme

Training & progression

Refer a friend scheme

Job summary

Change Grow Live in Walthamstow is seeking an IPS Employment Specialist to join our community-based treatment team. You will manage a small caseload of clients in structured treatment and guide them to secure paid work through IPS.

You will undergo IPS training, work with treatment staff, and provide ongoing job search support, CV help, and employer liaison to create sustainable employment outcomes. This is a full-time, permanent post with pro rata Outer London Weighting.

Qualifications

• Experience with employment placement.
• Experience with individuals needing substance use support.
• Excellent motivational, communication, and attentive listening skills.
• Outstanding interpersonal abilities with a knack for building rapport.
• Non-judgmental, trustworthy and empathetic approach to mental health support.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of service users in structured treatment and support their motivation for work.
• Promote and implement the IPS methodology with training under the national lead.
• Identify work skills, goals, and aspirations; develop tailored job search plans.
• Assist with job search, CV creation, applications, interviews, and career development.
• Create In-Work Support Plans addressing work-related needs, including benefits and health advice.
• Participate in weekly clinical team meetings and foster referrals to the IPS service.
• Curate job opportunities via employer liaison to secure advertised and hidden roles.
• Provide ongoing support and monitoring post-employment to ensure sustainability.

Skills

Caseload management

IPS methodology

Motivational interviewing

Communication skills

Empathy

Job description

Overview

At Change Grow Live, our dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of our Service Users is unwavering. We provide support, respect, and a safe environment, tailoring our approach to each individual's needs to discover the best treatment and care options.

Guided by our core values of being open, compassionate, and bold, our diverse team embodies these principles daily. We strive to empower individuals to reshape their lives, foster personal growth, and embrace life to its fullest.

Embark on a Journey as an IPS Employment Specialist at Change Grow Live

We are excited to welcome an enthusiastic individual to join our Walthamstow service as an Individual Placement Support (IPS) Employment Specialist. In this role, you'll manage a small caseload of clients currently accessing structured treatment for drug and/or alcohol use, guiding and supporting them to secure meaningful employment. As part of a community-based drug and alcohol treatment service, you'll build and nurture positive relationships within the community.

Change Grow Live is a charity dedicated to the belief that we can make a difference in our Service Users' lives. We offer support and respect in a safe environment, treating each user as an individual and working with them to find the right treatment and support options.

Where: Walthamstow

Hours: Full Time, 37.5 hours per week

Contract Type: Permanent

Allowances: Outer London Weighting, paid pro rata

*Full-time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 hours per week. For part-time roles, the salary and payments will be pro rata based on contracted hours.

Responsibilities

Roles and Responsibilities:

You'll undergo comprehensive IPS training under our national lead and manage a caseload of service users motivated to seek paid work within structured treatment. Employment Specialists play a crucial role in service integration, promoting IPS, and nurturing relationships with treatment service staff.

• Managing a small caseload, undergoing structured substance use treatment, facilitating their motivation for work.
• Implementing the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) methodology, providing necessary training.
• Engaging clients to identify work skills, goals, and aspirations, and developing tailored job search plans.
• Assisting with job search, CV creation, applications, interviews, and career development, including targeted employer interactions.
• Creating In-Work Support Plans to address work-related client needs, including benefits and health-related advice for employment sustainability.
• Participating in weekly clinical team meetings, fostering relationships, and encouraging client referrals to the IPS service.
• Curating job opportunities through customised searches and employer liaison to secure both advertised and hidden job placements.
• Offering ongoing support, effective monitoring, and guidance post-employment to ensure job sustainability.

About You:

For success in this role, you should possess:

• Prior employment placement experience.
• Experience or understanding of working with individuals needing substance use support or similar client groups.
• Excellent motivational, communication, and attentive listening skills.
• Outstanding interpersonal abilities with a knack for building rapport.
• Non-judgmental, trustworthy, and empathetic approach toward mental health support needs.

What We Offer You:

• 25 days holiday (+ bank holidays), increasing annually for first 5 years. (pro rata).
• Paid 'Wellness' hour each week, 'Wellness' hub, and Employee Assist Programme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Great benefits incl. discounts for shopping, cinema, holidays, etc.
• A supportive team passionate about their work
• Training, career development & progression opportunities
• Refer a friend scheme for successful candidates

Join us in making a positive difference in people's lives.

A note about using AI in your application

AI can be a really helpful tool when putting together your application, and we're happy for you to use it. However, what we're most interested in is you.

We want to understand your experiences, achievements and strengths, so please make sure your application reflects your own story and clearly shows how you meet the essential criteria and the impact you've made in previous roles.

There's no need to write in a particular style. The strongest applications are those that are authentic, specific and clearly demonstrate your skills, experience and potential. We look forward to learning more about you.

Please review the attached Job Description and Role Specifics for a detailed outline of responsibilities and Person Specification.

Please note: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. For applicants with time-limited visas, unfortunately, we are unable to support new visa applications or extensions. More information about eligible roles and occupations can be found here: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK

Salary Range (pro rata if part time)

CGL points 25 to 28 (£30,268.05 - £32,802.41)

ILW / OLW /Fringe

Outer London Weighting (£2,250.61)

Interview Date

8/11/2026

Closing Date

2/11/2026

If you have any questions on this opportunity that you would like to talk through please contact us using the below details:

John Stokes | [e-mail] | 07407826747

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.